Hazelnut Syrup Recipe - We are not Martha (2024)

Do you love hazelnut coffee? With this homemade Hazelnut Syrup, you can easily make your own flavored coffee at home! Plus, there are so many other things you can use this deliciously flavored simple syrup for!

Some simple syrup flavors are pretty obvious must-makes. Those include anything involving fruit (strawberry, blueberry, etc.), anything that would make a must-have co*cktail addition (jalapeño, mint, etc.), and vanilla (because what isn't vanilla flavoring delicious in??).

Some syrup flavors are a little less obvious. But once you make them, you can't imagine how you ever lived without them. You can file hazelnut syrup under that category.

This syrup is incredibly easy to make and will help you take your coffee (and all kinds of other foods) to a whole new level!

What are hazelnuts?

Here in the United States, you're far more likely to find someone enjoying a hazelnut flavored coffee or treat over eating actual hazelnuts. In fact, I bet plenty of Americans get all of their hazelnuts in coffee, Nutella, and Ferrero Rocher chocolate.

Hazelnuts are just not as popular here as they are in places like Europe, in part because they're grown most often in Turkey and Italy (though Oregon is also a top grower of hazelnuts!).

You may not be able to purchase them in every grocery store, but you can find them in the United States and can definitely buy them online as well (these are the ones I buy). They can be a tasty nut, especially when roasted.

They have a nutty, roasted flavor that some describe as a little musty or bitter. I think roasting them brings out the flavor more and of course, adding salt makes them even more of a treat.

Why you'll love this recipe

If you're a fan of hazelnut flavoring, you'll want to keep a jar of this hazelnut syrup in your fridge at all times!

It's very easy to make with two different options for adding the hazelnut flavor: you can either use whole nuts or hazelnut extract.

I've listed lots of different uses for this syrup below, but, of course, my favorite way to use it is to stir it into coffee!

Fresh hazelnuts or extract?

You can make this syrup with either fresh hazelnuts or extract. I've done both and find that using fresh hazelnuts offers a more mild flavor, while the extract gives a stronger flavor that you are likely more used to when you order, for example, a hazelnut coffee.

Both methods are quite easy and only require 3 ingredients.

Ingredients

With just 3 ingredients, you can have homemade hazelnut syrup in just minutes! Here's everything you need:

• Hazelnuts (I recommend roasted hazelnuts or recommend you roast them before making this) or hazelnut extract
• Water
• Granulated sugar

How to make

And making it couldn't be easier!

Simply put water, sugar, and chopped hazelnuts (or extract) in a medium saucepan and bring mixture to a boil.

Trust me, chopping the hazelnuts will add so much more flavor to the syrup!

Once boiling, lower heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until mixture has thickened a bit. Remove from heat.

If you're using chopped hazelnuts, I recommend letting the mixture rest for about 30 minutes so the hazelnut flavor can continue to infuse into the syrup. But if you're in a rush, you can strain it right away.

And then strain the mixture into a heat-proof bowl, leaving behind the hazelnuts (I recommend saving them for snacking or topping ice cream with!).

If you're using extract, just pour the syrup into a heat-proof bowl or jar.

Keep mixture in bowl or transfer into a mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely. Syrup will continue to thicken as it cools.

And then the syrup is ready to use however your heart desires!

Whether you make the syrup with nuts or extract, it will be delicious! I think the extract as a bit more of the "conventional" hazelnut flavor, while the actual nuts give it more of a nutty taste.

How to use

There are countless uses for hazelnut syrup and if you're a fan of hazelnut flavor, you're going to want to add this to everything! Please let me know how you end up using it. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite uses:

Coffees and Lattes: This is a must-make for anyone who enjoys hazelnut coffee with a little bit of sweetness added in. You can add this to hot coffee, iced coffee, lattes, and more. I'll even be showing you how to make a yummy Starbucks Frappuccino copycat coming soon!

co*cktails: If you're a hazelnut fan and enjoy co*cktails, chances are you've had Frangelico before. It's an Italian hazelnut liqueur and is absolutely delicious. If you don't have any liqueur on hand, you can use this syrup as an addition to co*cktails. It's especially delicious in chocolate and espresso martinis, but even makes. a yummy vodka martini.

Homemade Hazelnut Soda: Just add a drizzle of this syrup into soda water and you instantly have a homemade hazelnut soda. And that's a seltzer flavor you can't likely find in stores!

Ice Cream Topping: Hazelnut syrup over vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream is a dream come true.

Pancake, Waffle, or French Toast Topping: Use this syrup in place of maple syrup to add a nutty sweet flavor to your brunch.

Yogurt or Oatmeal Topping: I love adding a little sweetness to my healthy breakfasts and this hazelnut syrup is the perfect addition to either yogurt or oatmeal.

Cake Moistener: Bakers often brush simple syrups on cake to add moistness, sweetness, and flavor. This hazelnut syrup would be especially tasty on vanilla or chocolate cake.

Frosting: Add a drizzle of this syrup into homemade buttercream frosting and top cupcakes with it. I think it would be especially delicious on cupcakes with a Nutella filling!

Baking Ingredient: While you can't necessarily use this syrup as a hazelnut extract replacement, you can use it in a similar way in some instances. Use it to add hazelnut flavor to cookies, meringues, cupcakes, and more!

How to store

Just like all my simple syrups, this hazelnut version is easy to store in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored properly, it should stay fresh for about a month.

I think it's easiest to store syrups in mason jars and I especially recommend keeping a stock of 16 oz. mason jars (they have so many other uses besides syrup storing!). I also love the smaller 8 oz. mason jarsyou see in my photos.

Where to buy

Of course, I highly recommend you make your own hazelnut syrup since it's so easy and delicious!

But if you prefer to purchase it, there are lots of different shelf-stable hazelnut syrups available to buy. Here are some options:

• Starbucks Hazelnut Syrup
• Monin Hazelnut Syrup
• DaVinci Hazelnut Syrup
• Maison Routin 1883 Roasted Hazelnut Syrup
• Jordan's Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup

More simple syrup flavors

Be sure to check out my full list of flavored simple syrups for LOTS more options to make at home. They're all awesome for coffees, co*cktails, baked goods, and so much more.

And I truly have options for everyone, including a more traditional lavender syrup to a bit more out there bubblegum syrup!

📖 Recipe